1. Do you support the flood diversion scheme for North Clyde recommended by Crown Manager Lawrence Yule, the Regional Council and current Wairoa Council?
Yes. I support flood protection for North Clyde and Wairoa. There has been further modelling since the first recommendation was made. It is my view, that If flood protection does not go ahead for Wairoa, there will be dire social, cultural and economic consequences as a result
2. Name 2-3 specific WDC projects, policies or spends over the past three years with which you personally disagree.
No. The past three years for Wairoa have been dominated by trying to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle and the subsequent flood that followed.
3. What Council spending or other initiatives would you support to improve Wairoa’s economic well-being?
I am supportive of exploring initiatives particularly in the space of waste minimisation and management and investigating the economic and environmental benefits from this for Wairoa and inter-region.
4. Unlike Napier, Hastings and CHB Councils (who are forming a joint water entity), Wairoa Council has decided to ‘go it alone’ with respect to delivering water services. Do you agree?
Yes. Wairoa District Council has opted for a single Council Controlled Organisation rather than a regional CCO. This gives Wairoa time to explore all options and potentially go through a transition phase.
5. Most WDC debt relates to the need to maintain and improve its water assets, with significant improvement required. Should WDC step up its borrowing to make these improvements?
I am unsure. The Water Service Delivery Plan that is due by 03 September will likely identify the debt ratio required for water assets.
6. WDC current policy aims to limit rate increases to 5%. But this assumed WDC joined a regional water services entity, off-loading current debt and borrowing costs, which it has now declined to do (as noted above). Do you believe WDC rate increases can be kept to 5%? How?
The water services will still be transferred to the single CCO. Until a full analysis of the rates is undertaken, I am unsure if rates can be kept to 5%, however I would be in support of Council doing a deep dive into how the Wairoa District Council keep rates affordable.
7. Do you believe councils’ rates should be ‘capped’ by legislation?
I do agree with capped Council capped rates and I believe it requires the Central Government and Local Government to work together to achieve the best outcome.
8. Does Hawke’s Bay need five councils, or do you support amalgamation, in any form?
Yes. Napier and Hastings to start.
9. Would you support Councils appointing an independent “Hawke’s Bay Auditor General” to monitor councils’ spending and programme performance?
No.
